tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41124894450702936862017-07-23T10:00:37.073+01:00Running on LazyAbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09848285795608709724noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112489445070293686.post-52136180039340245502014-04-13T22:51:00.000+01:002014-04-13T22:53:33.556+01:00How I learnt to stop worrying and forget the calories in a ricecakeOne of the first things you need to know about me is that I love statistics. I'm obsessed with music statistics (I listened to Arabella by the Arctic Monkeys 74 times on March 17th 2014, FYI) and can't look at a stranger's shoes or for that matter, my own hair without giving an out of 10 rating. So naturally, when I was very slightly&nbsp;<a href="http://runningonlazy.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/body-image-again.html">overweight and told I should go on a diet</a>, I threw myself right in to the world of calorie-counting.<br /><div><br /></div><div><div>The fitness blogging community is a dangerous place for any impressionable human being, and given that I was 21 at this time I dread to think what it must be like for 14 year old girls. It is very, very easy to get wrapped up in the world of counting exactly how much you eat at any time and it very much appealed to me as a life-long maths obsessive. Oh, so I just ate a banana and a Muller vanilla light? LET ME DO THAT MENTAL ARITHMETIC!&nbsp;</div></div><div><br /></div><div>When I joined Weight Watchers and began paying monthly for the privilege of making myself feel miserable, my numerically motivated brain went into overdrive. POINTS FOR CERTAIN DAYS? MORE FOR THROUGHOUT THE WEEK? This sounds like a brilliant excuse for an Excel spreadsheet if I have ever heard one! I don't know if many people get addicted enough to their diet that they create an intricate Excel workbook, but if there's one thing I can say about myself it's that through my life I've never missed an excuse to make a VLookup table.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>I speak in jest, but I was actually incredibly obsessed with planning every single piece of food I would possibly eat for at least two weeks in advance. Invited over to my ex boyfriend's parents house for dinner? HOW WILL I POSSIBLY KNOW THE NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION? Friends want to go for Wagamamas for dinner? THEY DON'T PUBLISH THEIR CALORIES ONLINE CAN'T WE JUST GO TO NANDO'S? You see what I mean. The thing is, I never ate any less than what I was supposed to on the Weight Watchers diet, which is actually perfectly healthy in the sense that it is engineered that you don't go below your body's food requirements, but the PLANNING and the COUNTING drove me up the wall. This is why I needed to start this whole blog as a coping mechanism and why I wrote posts like&nbsp;<a href="http://runningonlazy.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/get-my-head-in-game.html">THIS</a>&nbsp;following eating a Twix bar I hadn't accounted for.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Two and a half years I spent on that diet and all I ever lost was half a stone and the respect of everyone I knew. I've spoken a couple of times before about my regret of this and how now my attitude to food is 'normal' and 'healthy' but I guess most of the people reading this blog, are reading it for the same reasons that I was reading your blogs. To gain motivation to count calories and get more tips on how to cut down. If, out of my past two or three blog posts, just one of you reads this and has a little bit of a think in whether what you're doing is the right thing, then writing it will be worth it. So here's a brief summary of how I got my head back in case you were looking for any practical advice -</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>1. Running</b></div><div>April 2014 marks a year since I started running and I still think it's one of the best decisions I ever made. Yes, me and my trainers have had our highs and lows, our ups and downs, I haven't gone any further than 7k still after a whole year, but I just Don't Care as running has Changed My Life. If you ever feel like there's too many thoughts in your head you might explode - if you ever crave solitude - if you ever want to feel proud of yourself - if you ever want an excuse to listen to the full Lorde album, RUN. Running helped me understand the concept that food is fuel, not a scientific experiment that needs constant monitoring. Just take a tip from me and don't do what I did this morning and wear leggings that are too big for you. SHAMBLES.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div><b>2. Good People</b></div><div>Have a think about how the people in your life make you feel.</div><div>If any of them make you feel bad about yourself on a regular basis then they do not deserve to be in your life. It is as simple as that. They Do Not Deserve An Amazing Person Like Yourself In Their Midst.&nbsp;</div><div>Good people don't attach shame to food. Good people never tell you you look fat in an outfit. Good people make you feel great about yourself, all the time, except when you're acting like an idiot, but they'll tell you in a nice way, and in the meantime compliment your hair.</div><div>There are a lot of Good People in the world that are lost in the maze that is calorie counting themselves. Don't try to save them as it isn't any of your business. However, if you ask them not to talk about it around you as you find it triggering, Good People will understand. Not-good people won't understand. You don't need them.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>3. Don't be afraid</b></div><div>For nearly three years I didn't ever let myself get hungry because I was terrified of how much I might eat if I wasn't completely in control of my needs. Don't be scared to get hungry. Hungry is normal. Don't become obsessed with "and I must eat THIS meal at precisely 1.15, and this one at 7.30." It's hard, it's really hard, but try not to think about it and only eat when you feel hungry.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>4. Eat what you want</b></div><div>Tonight I had a family-sized bag of Kettle Chips for dinner. I can hear the blogger in 2012 wailing and throwing herself down the stairs at this fact, but to quote Dappy, No Regrets. It's what I wanted to eat. I ate it. It was great. Not hungry anymore. Not sure what I'm going to have for breakfast tomorrow. MAYBE TOAST. MAYBE PORRIDGE. MAYBE EVEN COCO POPS. Let yourself breathe the spontaneity.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I cannot tell you how much happier I am ever since I stopped trying to lose weight. I don't know how much I weigh but I DO know I now fit into jeans that I couldn't six months ago, and I'm also a happier, healthier person. To quote Dappy for the second time in this blog post, every time I look in the mirror I just don't even recognise myself.</div><div><br /></div><div>Just to conclude:</div><div>Are you reading this and worrying about how many calories are in your lunch tomorrow? YES YOU?</div><div>Have you ever been upset as you ate something you felt like you shouldn't?</div><div>Has anyone ever made you feel like you want to lose weight to the point where you can't even remember what you think of your own appearance and if you think you look okay?&nbsp;</div><div>Just screw them all and eat whatever you want to have for lunch tomorrow. If that's chia seeds, go ahead. But all I can say is you'd BETTER enjoy them.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowFullScreen='true' webkitallowfullscreen='true' mozallowfullscreen='true' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/WoImizvsj5w?feature=player_embedded' FRAMEBORDER='0' /></div><div><br /></div>Abihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09848285795608709724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112489445070293686.post-7713897550093983632014-03-02T15:01:00.004+00:002014-03-02T15:01:48.622+00:00Body image, again. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/2013-11/enhanced/webdr05/25/16/anigif_enhanced-buzz-30382-1385414124-0_preview.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/2013-11/enhanced/webdr05/25/16/anigif_enhanced-buzz-30382-1385414124-0_preview.gif" height="180" width="320" /></a></div><br />This is not an actual blog post as such but just a collection of random thoughts given the portrayal of women and body image of the media following my recent googling of Queen Mischa Barton resulting in the discovery of some horrific, nasty articles written by both pathetic bloggers and major news outlets given the fact she has now gained a little weight and looks like a normal person:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/12/09/article-0-19F3BC3F00000578-924_640x876.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/12/09/article-0-19F3BC3F00000578-924_640x876.jpg" height="320" width="233" /></a></div><br /><br /><ul><li>WHY is Jennifer Lawrence held up as some sort of spokeswoman for women that aren't skinny in the media? The whole basis of the breakout role of Jennifer Lawrence's career is that her body is at such a prime level of physical fitness that she is able to WIN THE HUNGER GAMES. No, Jennifer Lawrence does not look as skinny as some individual actresses in the media. But she is clearly a very slim, slender and attractive woman and trying to hold it up as anything else is incredibly demeaning and patronising to all of us that aren't size 8s.</li><li>WHY are women held up as a failure for putting on weight or a success for losing weight? Well done Jennifer Hudson, you are now thinner and therefore deserve to be more successful! What a shame Mischa, you now look like a normal person, no wonder your career isn't as successful as it was!&nbsp;</li></ul><div>It is clear that to be an equal darling of both the media and Buzzfeed articles you need to either:</div><div><br /></div><div><ul><li>Be one of the like, &lt;5% of the population that can stay slim without trying (and even then, good luck adjusting once you're over 30!)</li><li>Go to the gym 6+ times a week and ensure 90% of your food is lettuce, chia seeds and protein shakes</li></ul><div><br /></div></div><div>But the important thing to ensure is:</div><div><ul><li>To always talk about how much you love cake and fries and burgers and pizza so you remain relatable.&nbsp;</li></ul><div><br /></div></div><div>I haven't written in this blog in ages as A) I don't have much to say as finally rather than constantly obsessing over how much I weigh I'm kind of living my life and B) it's beginning to make me feel uncomfortable. I re-read some of my earliest posts the other day and some of them I find a little shocking. I mean for example,&nbsp;<a href="http://runningonlazy.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/get-my-head-in-game.html">THIS post</a>&nbsp;to pick a random is so indicative of a person who is lost in an endless binge starve cycle and has no body confidence that reading it makes me just want to give my past self a hug. I was at a healthy weight when I wrote that blog post but even just re-reading the individual sentences just makes me itch and crawl as I can remember the true self-loathing I felt and the tears that were in my eyes as I wrote it. I mean just to give you an example this picture was taken a week after that post was written:&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X5EvEUN8MS8/UxNERZBh1jI/AAAAAAAAAd0/f58VX5xM-IY/s1600/P1020196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X5EvEUN8MS8/UxNERZBh1jI/AAAAAAAAAd0/f58VX5xM-IY/s1600/P1020196.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>That is NOT someone who should have been crying for hours as they'd eaten a Twix they hadn't accounted for in their insane weekly food plan created three weeks in advance in some bizarre Excel workbook they'd created for themselves and spent an hour a day curating.</div><div><br /></div><div>I don't know what my point is really. I think basically I am slowly coming to the realisation that somewhere inside my head I was a bit ill and had a warped perception of what I actually looked like, and all these thoughts are out there recorded on the internet and it makes me sick. I hate the fact I allowed myself to be talked into getting into that ridiculous mindset.</div><div><br /></div><div>I know most of my readers are people that write similar blogs so all I can say is this:&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div><ul><li>Think very carefully right now about your relationship with your own diet and whether you are on this diet for the right reasons.</li><li>NEVER lose weight to keep anyone else happy or because someone else thinks you should. Whether that's your boyfriend, husband, friends, family or whatever, make sure you lose this weight for yourself and not someone else.&nbsp;</li><li>If someone shames you for your body they don't deserve to be in your life.</li><li>Eat what you want when you want it. I'm sitting writing this next to a pizza. YOLO.&nbsp;</li></ul><div><br /></div><div>And here is my pledge to myself that, perhaps in the future, if I feel like it for the right reasons, I'll cut down on unhealthy food and step up the exercise. But I will never, ever count another calorie or point or Syn or anything ever again. All this promotes is an obsessive, unhealthy attitude that takes literally YEARS to break. And I would urge anyone reading this to think about doing the same.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div></div>Abihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09848285795608709724noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112489445070293686.post-67322736749340623882014-02-03T23:03:00.001+00:002014-02-03T23:03:35.469+00:00Sticks and stonesI don't own any photos of myself from between the ages of 18-20. I'm not tagged in any on Facebook, I don't have any pictures on my computer, I threw all my physical photos away. I took many hundreds, thousands of photos of my friends and I during this time but they are all gone. Therefore, unlike the vast majority of people my age, I have for the past couple of years not had a firm idea of what I looked like during this time, just my idyllic mental picture.<div><br /></div><div>However, I've always thought of being 19 as the peak of my physical attractiveness. I've always thought - that was when I had a nice body. That's when I had good hair. That's when I wore my make-up well. That's why people were attracted to me at that time. I just looked better.</div><div><br /></div><div>Tonight by chance I stumbled across some videos from when I was 19 for the first time in years. I was shocked to look at myself and see that I in fact objectively look absolutely no better than I do now. I'm probably about the same size, my make-up is terrible and I have a dodgy fringe. Why have I always remembered myself as being hot at this time?</div><div><br /></div><div>And then I remembered, that was a time before I ever went on a diet.</div><div><br /></div><div>That was a time where I'd happily gone my whole life eating what I wanted just when I was hungry.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>That was a time when I'd spent a couple of years cyclically going back on forth around the same half stone depending on how active I was at any particular time. That was a time when sometimes, yes, I was about three or four pounds overweight. I remember a doctor telling me once when I signed up to a new GP at university, "you're about 4lbs overweight." And I remember thinking, "It's fine as no one would ever guess that I weigh that much as I carry it fairly well don't I?"</div><div><br /></div><div>I was 21 the first time anyone told me that I should go on a diet and since then it has not ever been the same. At my absolute all-time biggest I was about a stone overweight. I look back at that time thinking "Oh god I was hideous I was so massive how disgusting." In fact I was about a size 14.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>After two and a half years of constant binge/starve dieting and then suddenly and dramatically giving it up I think I'm finally beginning to get back normal eating habits. Well, that's not true, as my eating itself was always normal, in that I had three meals a day and never starved myself or anything. If anything it's less 'normal' now. But it was my relationship with food. Every second of my life I was acutely aware of what I was next going to eat and when. Every time I ever deviated from the plan - for ANY reason - I felt like the worst person in the universe. Every time I ever weighed myself, which was pretty much every day, and I had put on any weight, I just felt useless and unattractive and disgusting.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now I feel like my relationship with food is much more healthy. If I want a burger, I will get a burger. If I want more chips, I will get more chips. If someone offers me a chocolate mini roll but I don't really fancy it, I won't eat it. I don't really think about food unless I'm already hungry. I've allowed myself to actually get hungry for the first time in years because before I was afraid of how much I might eat if that ever happened. &nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>So now I don't even know how much I weigh, I just know that I just about fit into size 12 trousers, which probably means I'm no longer overweight by prior experience. I wonder how long it will be before my body image isn't on my mind 50 times a day.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>I wonder if ever again I will be able to feel nonchalant about my own body like I did when I was 19. &nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>I actually don't want to feel like this, I don't want to be sitting here thinking about how much I weigh. As there's a part of me in my head that knows I am healthy and that I look fine. But there is just another part of me somewhere else in my head that just won't shut up about how much better I would look if I was thinner. About how much better I would look if I just looked like I did when I was 19.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>But the fact is, despite the way I remember it, the pictures prove I wasn't even actually thin at 19. I just didn't know what it was like to have someone call you fat.</div><div><br /></div>Abihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09848285795608709724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112489445070293686.post-21020742848896306102014-01-02T16:28:00.000+00:002014-01-02T16:28:49.106+00:002014 GoalsHappy New Year to every wonderful and flawless human being that reads my blog! I know I am at a weird spot in the blogosphere, kind of floundering toward being a 'running' blogger but with still not the vaguest clue what I am doing and unable to provide any of you any guidance or advice. However, I hope you all continue to enjoy reading about my ridiculous adventures.<br /><br />I'm going to try and set some CLEAR and SUCCINCT goals for the year (with clarity and brevity being two things I forever struggle with):<br /><br /><br /><b>Fitness</b><br />* Complete 10k race in March<br />* Be able to run 10k with zero walk breaks (Am realistic enough to know this may not be possible before the race - but is the goal for the end of the year)<br />* Start doing more of other kinds of exercise other than running<br />* Enter ballot for Royal Parks Half Marathon. Go with whatever card fate deals me on that one<br />* Avoid going more than two consecutive weeks without doing any running<br /><br /><b>Food/Drink</b><br />* Eat more fruit and vegetables - the aim is to get my 5 a day 5 days out of 7<br />* Drink more water<br />* Continue to never try chia seeds<br />* Eat the food I WANT when I WANT IT. Nothing is off-limits, nothing is banned. If I want a burger, GET THE BURGER. Basically - have a healthy relationship with food, as a starve/binge cycle is not doing anyone any favours (I have pages, and pages, and pages of thoughts in my head that I could write about this - but I'll save it for a more pensive day)<br /><br /><b>Happiness</b><br />* Try to be nicer and stop using humour as a shield<br />* Take my makeup off at the end of the day at least 6 days out of 7 (I am currently AWFUL at this)<br />* SAVE MONEY!<br />* Cut down on use of taxis<br />* Continue to have a positive relationship with my own self-image.<br /><br /><br />I'm going to have to start 'properly' training for the 10k pretty soon (EEK) and will be writing up my ridiculous attempts all up on here. xAbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09848285795608709724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112489445070293686.post-66530280177382388502014-01-01T16:02:00.001+00:002014-01-01T16:09:33.094+00:00New Blog Title<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/11494445/?claim=kgs27tmd37e">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a> <br> Hi all,<br /><br />I used to be over at&nbsp;<a href="http://losingweightthelazyway.blogspot.com/">Losing Weight The Lazy Way</a>&nbsp;but you can now find me here. New Year, New Me and my reasons for writing a blog have changed!<br /><br />I can lie and pretend that this post was intended for actual content, but basically I need to claim this blog with bloglovin and thought I would write a little prose to make it a bit less impersonal.<br /><br />I'm trying to transfer all my bloglovin followers over, but if you fancy getting ahead of the game you could always click above! ;)<br /><br />Thanks to you all for your continued support.<br /><br />x<br /><br />Abihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09848285795608709724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112489445070293686.post-4759442562796959572013-12-30T22:14:00.000+00:002014-01-01T15:45:06.064+00:002013 - Keep on survivingSo as I type this opening sentence we have approximately 26 hours left of 2013. Why not jump on the blogging bandwagon and review it?<br /><br />One thing I can say for the year of 2013 is that I am sure I will always remember it. It's not going to be a 1997 or 2004, forever lost in the wilds of my memories being unable to identify any specific event that may have have occurred. I've had some brilliant highs and some terrible, core-of-the-earth scraping lows.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/9e/ca/68/9eca68b6d0cc2d9e0ebaca726563be9f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/9e/ca/68/9eca68b6d0cc2d9e0ebaca726563be9f.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />I remember clearly at the end of September sitting on the floor of my old bedroom in my parents' house, surrounded by empty mugs of tea and hyperventilating, with no idea where I was going to live and what I was going to do, and thinking to myself "This is rock bottom. I am always going to look back at this and think, that was rock bottom." And you know what? I was wrong. I have never been as scared as I was for those few weeks of sofa-hopping around South London. I have never felt so lost or afraid and I have never listened to so much Kelly Clarkson. However, I have never felt so 'the opposite of alone'. The amount of genuine support, both practical and emotional, I had from so many people - family, friends, colleagues, even people from the internet I'd never met- &nbsp;was INSANE and you know what? I bounced back sooner and higher than I could have ever imagined.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/a1/59/27/a1592766ad9b37bdc1d98f908025b9e2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/a1/59/27/a1592766ad9b37bdc1d98f908025b9e2.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><br /><br />November &amp; December of 2013 have been two of the best months of my life. I feel like over the past few years I had, so slowly I hadn't even really noticed, lost my control over who I was and what I wanted. Finally, I feel like I'M BACK AND I'M AMAZING. Because you know what? I am amazing. I may be slightly chubby and have minging feet, but at the same time I'm hilarious and have great hair. I don't know if I'll ever look in the mirror and totally like what I see (spending three years as a teenager being called ugly and annoying every day of your life will do that for you) BUT I look in the mirror now and I don't hate myself. I think, particularly if I've already done my make-up "You look okay. Perhaps even above average!"<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/27/d4/d7/27d4d764196009c255d1250ac51ab13f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/27/d4/d7/27d4d764196009c255d1250ac51ab13f.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br />I write this blog weighing about half a stone less than when I wrote my end of year blog in 2012. Most of that weight loss to be honest I can't really chalk up to anything more than a bout of extreme stress followed by a change of lifestyle meaning there's less junk food around the kitchen. However, weight loss really isn't my priority anymore. My priority is to be happy and (somewhat) healthy, both physically and emotionally. And more importantly, to continue to have a positive relationship with my own self-image.<br /><br />Most importantly of all perhaps, when I wrote my end of year blog in 2012 I'd have struggled to run to the end of the road and back. I write this blog in 2013 being able to run 5k 3 times a week and having signed up for a 10k in March. Despite my chronic unfitness throughout my life and my utter aversion to physical exercise, I have accidentally discovered a love for running through nothing but my own amazingness (i.e. actually sticking to the plan and CARRYING ON TRYING.) If that's not something to love myself for I don't know what is.<br /><br />My only New Year's Resolution is - Keep on surviving.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowFullScreen='true' webkitallowfullscreen='true' mozallowfullscreen='true' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/Wmc8bQoL-J0?feature=player_embedded' FRAMEBORDER='0' /></div><br /><br /><br />Abihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09848285795608709724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112489445070293686.post-46686800009766603532013-12-28T17:42:00.000+00:002014-01-01T15:45:06.076+00:00My favourite workout songs of 2013Something you should probably know about me is that I am a MASSIVE pop music fan. I've only ever once ran without music which was when I did my 5k race as headphones weren't allowed. I just about managed to cope because of the sheer adrenaline and excitement of being in a race, but otherwise I literally could not imagine how horrific it might be to run without Eye of the Tiger and Survivor egging me on. Running's a really good way to listen to a new album and sometimes a proper TUNE coming on can really inspire me to go faster.<br /><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, I thought I would make a playlist of my favourite running songs that were released in 2013 (these aren't my favourite of all time of course - but I will save that for some sort of massive 100-song mega playlist at some point.) (My usual running playlist has 450 songs on it and counting). This playlist is 40 minutes long so is perfect if you are training for a 5k and feeling like being reflective over the year.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Be warned: This playlist, much like me, is NOT 'credible'&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>$$$ex - Vanessa Hudgens vs YLA</div><div>Work Bitch - Britney Spears</div><div>Roar - Katy Perry&nbsp;</div><div>Heart Attack - Demi Lovato</div><div>I Need Your Love - Calvin Harris ft. Ellie Goulding</div><div>#thatPOWER - Will.i.am ft. Justin Bieber</div><div>Pompeii - Bastille</div><div>I Love It - Icona Pop ft. Charli XCX</div><div>Summertime Sadness Remix - Lana Del Rey vs Cedric Gervais</div><div>Do What U Want - Lady GaGa ft R.Kelly</div><div>Can We Dance - The Vamps</div><div><br /></div><div><iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://embed.spotify.com/?uri=spotify:user:lazygirlabi:playlist:1M5Pa28Z7050TEsVbLLD5S" width="300"></iframe> <div><br /></div><div><br />PS - My favourite workout song of all time is Miami 2 Ibiza - Tinie Tempah &amp; Swedish House Mafia. I seriously do not like it at any other time except if I am exercising but when it comes on during a run I am ON IT. Give it a go.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Abihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09848285795608709724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112489445070293686.post-15578521560282118032013-12-26T23:29:00.000+00:002014-01-01T15:45:06.082+00:00Motivated by new clothes?Christmas came early for me this year when&nbsp;<a href="http://www.sportsshoes.com/" target="_blank">SportsShoes</a>&nbsp;got in touch and asked if I wanted to try out some new running gear as part of the Fashionably Fit campaign to get me motivated to get out running in the winter months. This could not have come at a better time for me because as you know I massively got out of the habit of running for three whole months and I was absolutely thrilled. I chose some new running gear and I cannot believe I am about to put a full length photo of myself in exercise clothes on the internet but here you go - remember the camera, and the fact this was taken on CHRISTMAS DAY, adds 30 pounds.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TaX031soGKs/Ury109w9LaI/AAAAAAAAAb8/LBElv5KM6vs/s1600/photo+(96).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TaX031soGKs/Ury109w9LaI/AAAAAAAAAb8/LBElv5KM6vs/s320/photo+(96).JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.sportsshoes.com/product/nik9529/nike-element-shield-women's-running-jacket/" target="_blank">Nike Running Jacket*</a>&nbsp;- was £35.00 when I picked it, but reduced to £29.99 now!, c/o SportsShoes.com</div><div style="text-align: center;">(Barely visible) White vest top - I think this was from Marks &amp; Spencers?!&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;">Karrimor Running Tights - £10.99, Sports Direct</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.sportsshoes.com/product/nik8322/nike-flex-2-women's-trial-running-shoes#product-tabs" target="_blank">Nike Flex 2 Women's Trail Running Shoes*</a>&nbsp;- was £55.00 when I picked them, but reduced to £39.99 now! c/o SportsShoes.com</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Now I'm not going to beat around the bush here. This is seriously high quality stuff at pretty amazing prices and I genuinely do thoroughly recommend this website.<br /><br />I'm used to basically getting the cheapest of everything for sportswear - I ran in Tesco and/or Asda leggings for months. My old trainers were £15 from Sports Direct and unbranded. I always thought they were okay, but that was until I tried these trainers. As well as looking SERIOUSLY COOL (neon much?!) they feel like&nbsp;<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4D5egXVqSg" target="_blank">walking on air</a>. I'm used to my feet feeling like I've been dancing all night in massive heels after a casual 5k, but these are so light and speedy it's unbelievable. I would be lying if I said I chose these trainers because they were trail running shoes as opposed to because I liked the blue/pink colour combo, but they are perfect for running on the beach and I'm sure they'll fit in well with all the running in parks I'm hoping to do once I get back up to London.<br /><br />I am utterly in love with these trainers. Shoes come and go, but every now and then a pair will come which you will love like they are your own children. The last pair like that for me were my amazing&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Topshop-ATHENA-black-suede-lace-ankle-boots-grunge-UK4-/190908932363" target="_blank">Topshop Athena boots</a>, and I never thought that I'd feel the same about a pair of TRAINERS, but there you go, I do. Let's have a look at another shot of these absolute beauties:<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xh1Q0CAK9OU/Ury48vWMTUI/AAAAAAAAAcI/Y9B8QiLI4lc/s1600/photo+(97).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xh1Q0CAK9OU/Ury48vWMTUI/AAAAAAAAAcI/Y9B8QiLI4lc/s320/photo+(97).JPG" width="319" /></a></div><br /><br />They are actually so pretty I might cry sitting here looking at them.<br /><br />I don't feel the same kind of passionate, all-consuming love for my running jacket as I do for these beautiful trainers, but it is a pretty ace piece of equipment. It's the first time I've ever had a running jacket, but I thought it would be really useful for the winter months, and I was right. The annoying thing about running in the winter that I have found is that it's freezing but at the same time running makes you hot so you don't want to be trudging around in your eskimo gear. This jacket strikes a lovely balance between the two whilst also blocking out the dreaded 'rain'. It's also good to be a little more high-vis in these darker months. Plus, perhaps most importantly of all - it co-ordinates with the soles of my trainers.<br /><br />Back to the question originally posed to me by SportsShoes.com - does having nice running gear motivate me to run in the winter months? Well in the same way as my Topshop Athena boots motivated me to learn how to spend a whole working day in heels, these beautiful trainers are TOTALLY inspiring me to run in the winter months. I keep them in display on my room, partly so on occasion I can look at them and sigh, and also because every time I see them I just want to get laced up and off out for a run, with my jacket to keep me suitably warm and dry. To the extent that yesterday I went out for an elusive Christmas Day run, and not only that, it was my longest run of all time ever (only 3.5 miles, don't get too excited - but still - slaying those records!)<br /><br />Goodbye all, I hope this review has not been too useless given my lack of technical knowledge as a beginner, but I just wanted to give my perspective on what I genuinely thought rather than using random jargon! (in case you didn't grasp, my genuine thought was that THESE TRAINERS ARE MY NEW GOD!) I will be browsing SportsShoes.com with an intent to spend some of my Christmas money on productive equipment rather than merely make up giftsets.<br /><br /><br /><br />xxx<br /><br />PS - 2 days ago I started a&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/LazyGirlAbi" target="_blank">Twitter page</a>&nbsp;for my blog. If you're reading this and have Twitter I'd love it if you could give me a cheeky follow as I'm feeling a little lonely - I'll be tweeting all about my adventures with beginner running and some of my friends have told me that from time to time I can be 'quite amusing' so GIVE IT A GO.Abihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09848285795608709724noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112489445070293686.post-52429649403531204022013-12-22T17:27:00.000+00:002014-01-01T15:45:06.088+00:00My first run in 3 months As I mentioned before, I have had a BIG lifestyle change in the fourth quarter of 2013 and it has been difficult to make eating healthily and exercise a priority. I've found I've lost a bit of weight - not heaps but enough, 7-10lb -&nbsp;<a href="http://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/cheryl-cole-knows-all-too-well-about-the-heartbreak-293709" target="_blank">without any effort.</a>&nbsp;This has made it pretty difficult to be motivated to work out and/or eat nothing but chia seeds. I have been so busy, so busy in such a really great way, that I haven't even had time to THINK about what might be a better dinner to have than "a jar of salsa" or what might be a better form of exercise than "thigh-toning slut drops".&nbsp;<div><br /></div><div>However, my busy life has come to an abrupt halt as it is now "Christmas holidays" and I have come back to the abyss of joy that is East Kent to celebrate our saviour's birth (I do actually LOVE my hometown but in a bit of an ironic way to be honest). I suddenly find myself with yawning gaps of time ahead of me. It's weird as when I'm busy I often crave time to myself to get on with things but at the same time when it actually happens I feel a bit weird and twitchy (I'm typing this at about 120 words per minute). So this afternoon I thought - WHAT BETTER TIME to get back into the 'fitness' swing of things? I caught sight of my amazing new trainers in the corner (more on that in my next post) and before I knew it I was rocking a ridiculously high ponytail, pulling on my mum's Tesco Cherokee joggers and heading out of the door towards the beach.</div><div><br /></div><div>I only planned to run to the next bay and back as, well, it was my first run in three months and as mentioned, I have literally done no other exercise in this whole time, and I'd assumed I'd be dying at this point. I listened to the following playlist on repeat, and therefore felt like I was flying:</div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q9VpklQcIpA/UrcgNdmBW7I/AAAAAAAAAbY/tok1I42cNmY/s1600/photo+2.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q9VpklQcIpA/UrcgNdmBW7I/AAAAAAAAAbY/tok1I42cNmY/s320/photo+2.PNG" width="213" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>1.8 miles rolled around and I was approaching my parents' house again, and I just thought, "GOD, I FEEL AMAZING. THE COLD NEVER BOTHERED ME ANYWAY" [bonus points for getting the reference] so I thought I would just keep going, so basically ran around in circles for another 20 minutes, but the point is, I ran 5k!! Here is my proof:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OSHmkV7hrbg/UrcgJZnb2HI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/EsxFmdasCHo/s1600/photo+1.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OSHmkV7hrbg/UrcgJZnb2HI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/EsxFmdasCHo/s320/photo+1.PNG" width="213" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>So I did it, I might have run 5k slower than a literal snail on Valium, but I did it, I completed 5k without a single walk break when I hadn't ran at all in THREE MONTHS. I just felt SO HIGH, which I still feel now a couple of hours later, which might be why I KEEP USING CAPS. But what an ACTUALLY BRILLIANT FEELING.</div><div><br /></div><div>Back before my life imploded and then brilliantly pieced itself back together again, I signed up to run a six mile race on the 23rd March 2014. I really feel with enough effort I might be able to complete that and in a decent time and all. I'm going to go for a few more casual runs over the Christmas break and then in January get on hard with training for that, WHY WOULDN'T I WHEN I COULD FEEL LIKE THIS THREE OR FOUR TIMES A WEEK OR WHATEVER.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>I am just so proud of myself right now, I began 2013 overweight and a bit unhappy and unable to run to the end of the road and back. And look at me now - just under three months ago I had nowhere to live and I thought my life was over. But now, my life is better than it has been for a very, very long time and I have the base level of fitness that I'm able to run 5k without even having any kind of coronary failure. This is why I started running, this is why I got addicted before, and this is why I should never have stopped - I love feeling good about myself, and I never feel better about myself than just after finishing a good run. If anyone reading this has thought about starting running but not sure if they can be bothered or if they would be any good or whatever - I urge you, please, just try. It will change your life and your outlook on it.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/e4/e3/60/e4e36057523a79d3746f129ef201d112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/e4/e3/60/e4e36057523a79d3746f129ef201d112.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Abihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09848285795608709724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112489445070293686.post-88080665325328513542013-11-12T21:00:00.000+00:002014-01-01T15:45:06.095+00:00Low calorie and cheap tuna and tomato pastaLike many in their early twenties I wonder how old I will get before I feel like I belong here in the adult world and I'm not just pretending. There are many things I don't fully understand and that terrify me about being a grown up and one of those things is 'money' and/or lack of it. I am now a totally self sufficient person - I left home five years ago but I always had a student loan/ financially secure ex as a safety net. Now it's just me, I earn the money that puts the food on my table and pays the rent for my own room. It's terrifying, but at the same time I kind of love it. Everything here is all mine and paid for with my own money and no one else's. The house I live in? I pay rent for it! The car I'm driving? I bought the driving lesson for it! The clothes I'm wearing? I bought them from Primark! I could go on.<br /><br />Anyhow, my financial situation has changed quite a lot over the past month or two as I'm sure you can imagine and now I am really trying to cut back on everything. So I thought I would be "creative" and create a recipe that is not only healthy(ish) but cheap! I know that this could definitely be more healthy, I know it could be cheaper, but cut me some slack, I'm just trying to get into the routine of not every dinner being a ready meal and/or takeaway.<br /><br />A little background info: All food bought from Sainsbury's today (12th Nov 2013). I was cooking two portions, one for myself to have today and one to have tomorrow. I then won't be eating at home for three nights so wanted to minimise food wastage.<br /><br /><u>Tuna and Tomato Pasta</u><br />312 calories, 7 points and £1.25 per portion.<br /><br /><br /><br /><b><i>Ingredients - for 2 portions</i></b><br /><br />70g dry pasta (7 PP, 240 calories). = 4p! Based on the fact you can get 500g Sainsbury's pasta for 30p. Amazing.<br />4 mushrooms (0PP, approx 40 calories) = 27p, bought loose.<br />1 red onion (0PP, approx 40 calories) = 14p, bought loose.<br />1 pepper (0PP, approx 40 calories) = 80p, bought loose. It would have been cheaper per pepper to buy a pack of 3, but I knew I couldn't use the other 2 before they went off so didn't bother.<br />1 carton of chopped tomatoes (0PP, 74 calories) = 34p.<br />1 can of tuna in water (2PP, 82 calories) = £1.30.<br />40g of low fat cheese (4PP, 107 calories) = 32p.<br /><br />TOTAL for 2 portions - 13PP, 623 calories, £2.49.<br /><b>Total for 1 portion: 7PP, 312 calories, £1.25</b><br /><b><br /></b><b><i>Method</i></b><br />Well you can probably work this out but....<br /><br />1) Put the pasta on to boil. In the meantime, chop your vegetables. BEFORE AND AFTER SHOT:<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-srFBoHcMPZ0/UoKROOAO8gI/AAAAAAAAAZk/qN-FAW3KfWU/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-srFBoHcMPZ0/UoKROOAO8gI/AAAAAAAAAZk/qN-FAW3KfWU/s320/photo+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xByfkFIRqns/UoKROQsqN_I/AAAAAAAAAZ0/_3pEknAqRyE/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xByfkFIRqns/UoKROQsqN_I/AAAAAAAAAZ0/_3pEknAqRyE/s320/photo+2.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br />2. Heat some Frylight in a pan and then cook the vegetables for about 5 minutes.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r2BgzKWTILc/UoKROC_uPuI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/tpxwU9ysDRs/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r2BgzKWTILc/UoKROC_uPuI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/tpxwU9ysDRs/s320/photo+3.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />3. Add your chopped tomatoes and cook for about 2 minutes.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J8rzaG6V-Q0/UoKRPNoeIQI/AAAAAAAAAaA/xvMM82HOh9o/s1600/photo+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J8rzaG6V-Q0/UoKRPNoeIQI/AAAAAAAAAaA/xvMM82HOh9o/s320/photo+5.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">4. Then add your tuna. NOTE: I am living with cats for the first time in my life. Heed my warning: if there are cats in the kitchen, there is no such thing as being too vigilant when opening a can of tuna.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qBnSNrRV2Ko/UoKR7gjYFFI/AAAAAAAAAac/AGxSLq3BLro/s1600/photo+1+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qBnSNrRV2Ko/UoKR7gjYFFI/AAAAAAAAAac/AGxSLq3BLro/s320/photo+1+%25281%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />5. Then add your cheese. This step is optional yet DELICIOUS.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g7m_7fBlSpg/UoKR7fTz7BI/AAAAAAAAAaY/g6xsaA3TARs/s1600/photo+2+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g7m_7fBlSpg/UoKR7fTz7BI/AAAAAAAAAaY/g6xsaA3TARs/s320/photo+2+%25281%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />6. Then mix up with your pasta.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZlIrPNSyJDY/UoKR7dz9s9I/AAAAAAAAAaQ/YRXGZ1tXCEY/s1600/photo+3+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZlIrPNSyJDY/UoKR7dz9s9I/AAAAAAAAAaQ/YRXGZ1tXCEY/s320/photo+3+%25281%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">7. Divide into two portions and serve! Yum yum.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0pR-htG2FoQ/UoKR8BUDQgI/AAAAAAAAAag/jFKNH6M_DsI/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0pR-htG2FoQ/UoKR8BUDQgI/AAAAAAAAAag/jFKNH6M_DsI/s320/photo+4.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br />This meal is pretty delicious if you like tuna and any meal for only just over 300 calories is pretty useful once you are on a diet. It is also actually pretty filling. You might feel that 35g pasta per portion is crazy small, but the veg doesn't make it feel like it's any less pasta than normal, really.<br /><br />Perhaps more importantly this is two days' dinners for £2.50. If I ate this every day for a week imagine how much money I could save! (But I won't.) It didn't taste like it was cheap and it actually tasted much better than the ready meals I have been living off that are more expensive. From now on when I post recipes I will also calculate the costs.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Abihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09848285795608709724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112489445070293686.post-75074393286841814952013-11-10T17:59:00.000+00:002014-01-01T15:45:06.102+00:00Blogging strikes backWell I have been off for so long. Basically I might as well just jump into it: I am now single and my living situation and circumstances are so different from my last blog post I wonder if anything I've ever written on this blog even means anything anymore. Now I just food shop for myself, cook for myself, live in a house rather than a flat so am not on the same level as the kitchen when chilling out of an evening (this has changed my snacking life = win for laziness), and I could go on.<br /><br />I have lost about 10lb since I last wrote. Most of this is not exactly for the right reasons. I didn't really eat anything at all for a week. For the next 3 weeks I had nowhere to live - I ate a million calories in takeaways during this time but still lost the weight anyway which I assume is 'stress'. I now have a routine again. I have been pretty good at eating to be honest. Basically, I don't really buy any unhealthy food for my fridge and cupboards at all, so the only time I eat badly is when I go out to eat/get a takeaway or whatever, but 5 days out of 7 at least my diet is pretty squeaky clean. I don't eat for enjoyment but for necessity and only eat when I'm hungry.<br /><br />However, I haven't done any exercise. I haven't done any running for seven weeks which actually makes me feel quite upset as at the time I felt as though I was getting somewhere with my running - I'd even signed up for a 10k in March. However I just don't know where I am supposed to fit it into my life - I don't want to run in the dark, especially in an area I don't know that well and I can't afford to join a gym. I really want to get cracking with it but I don't really know what to do - any advice would be much appreciated.<br /><br />I have had a lot of time to think recently about myself and the person I would like to be. I want to keep writing this blog - I want to be a runner, I want to get myself back into the blogging 'fitness' community. But at the same time I would like to make this blog a little bit more 'me'. I don't want to dwell too much on my relationship break up but in a way I do feel a little bit like I have found some parts of myself that I had forgotten I had lost. I want to try and share those parts of me with the people that read my blog a bit more; I feel I do have the capability as a writer to make this blog actually interesting to read but it was becoming so, so vacuous. I have no idea how exactly I am going to do that but watch this space.<br /><br />Anyhow, my next goal is to get back into running and find some sort of way to make it work. Send any advice you have my way!<br /><br /><br />x<br /><br />PS: "How are you?" you might ask. I'd be lying if I said I didn't have bad days, but people I know are always commenting that I've dealt with this all very well. The future scares me, but at the same time I feel a bit excited by it. Albus Dumbledore once said we must choose between what is right and what is easy. When everything I had known for three years all fell apart, it would have been very easy for me to hand in my notice at my job and go back to move with my parents, rather than starting somewhere new in a new area and being the only person responsible for my own survival for the first time in my life, but it wouldn't have been right. I feel I have done the right thing and I already feel as though I am becoming a better person for it.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/8c/9d/ae/8c9dae726bfbbc8a41e772e2e299e152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/8c/9d/ae/8c9dae726bfbbc8a41e772e2e299e152.jpg" width="252" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />Abihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09848285795608709724noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112489445070293686.post-8269667347937410982013-09-23T21:32:00.000+01:002014-01-01T15:45:06.273+00:00Winter is comingI can't believe how nearly I just started this blog post "Dear all" - clearly I write too many emails for my own good. Anyway, back on to business. It has been a poor week for weight loss as I have somehow managed to put on 2.7lb(!) which has literally put me straight back to square one with 21lbs still to lose. At first I was all, how have I managed that?! I've been surviving on bananas and cous cous! But then I remembered last week:<br /><br /><br /><ul><li>I went to TGI Fridays</li><li>I had a 'small night out' involving a cocktail or four</li><li>I went out for a curry</li><li>I went to McDonald's for a 'team lunch'&nbsp;</li><li>My mum and I <i>may</i>&nbsp;have had a bottle of wine</li><li>I <i>may </i>have had a massive brownie for dessert on Saturday</li><li>I had a <i>massive </i>carby bolognese on Sunday night</li></ul><div>So I guess when you have that many 'slip ups' the fact you are eating a half decent breakfast and lunch on most days doesn't really cut it. Oh well, I have learnt my lesson... kind of.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/b2/60/65/b26065675da2bc2e41cd09169e01569f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/b2/60/65/b26065675da2bc2e41cd09169e01569f.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As time goes by this blog is becoming less and less about weight loss and more about running. I must admit I am going through a phase where the fact I am a few pounds overweight is not actually bothering me that much. I don't think I look that terrible and I can say, quite confidently, for the first time ever, I am pretty fit. However, I <i>really </i>don't want the pounds to creep on so I am going to keep on going, but take a fairly low key approach to eating and food. However last week was no excuse so I have to do my best to keep mainly on the straight and narrow this week... 80:20 is the aim (whereas last week was more like 20:80).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So as for running....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qscEuEPN4ns/UkCixpfGA2I/AAAAAAAAAYw/bHi4-0PFu3w/s1600/photo+(2).PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qscEuEPN4ns/UkCixpfGA2I/AAAAAAAAAYw/bHi4-0PFu3w/s320/photo+(2).PNG" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I am still following my training program (more on that on another post) and it's going fairly well. Monday and Wednesdays are endurance/stamina and the goal is time-based, and Saturdays are fast runs at the moment with the goal distance-based. When I have a distance goal as opposed to "run for 40 minutes" I find myself automatically going faster anyway without even trying hence the fact my Saturday mile time beat by Wednesday mile time by nearly two minutes(!). This week I only have to run for 30 minutes on my Monday and Wednesday runs, but last week I was allowed to take walk breaks if I really wanted and have them count towards my time. This time I can't! I did manage to run 30 minutes today with literally <u>no </u>stopping and it wasn't even too tragic a speed, but towards the end I was feeling pretty exhausted/rough. Oh well onwards and upwards.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div>I still <u>LOVE </u>running!!! Even when I feel rough at the time, such as earlier, by the time I'm recovered I'm feeling buzzy buzzy buzzy for the whole rest of the evening. I just wish I had the time to run in the early mornings because I would love to have this feeling all day but sadly I get up at 5.45am as it is and I don't think anyone is THAT motivated.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Sorry that all I am doing at the moment is Monday summary posts, I do have loads of ideas for actual 'content' so bear with me. It's coming. Like winter. Which is definitely coming. It's now dark when I leave the house :'(</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>PS this is my workout song of the week.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowFullScreen='true' webkitallowfullscreen='true' mozallowfullscreen='true' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/YRTART39Lnc?feature=player_embedded' FRAMEBORDER='0' /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>PPS If you want 'fitspiration', watch Spring Breakers.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Abihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09848285795608709724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112489445070293686.post-19112969592751670572013-09-16T20:20:00.000+01:002014-01-01T15:45:06.321+00:00You better work bitch.So I've lost 2.2lbs, which is AMAZING as it was a dodgy week for food and I was fully expecting a gain. I have 18.1lbs to lose until my goal, so I am kind of getting there, sort of. Basically I feel I have won due to my return to running which has gone ace!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/11/03/10/11031005238d2fa727f99f05a65d9661.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/11/03/10/11031005238d2fa727f99f05a65d9661.jpg" width="287" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--SQaINAl-xQ/UjdZPyviIfI/AAAAAAAAAYM/p7U9LaHVmbA/s1600/photo.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--SQaINAl-xQ/UjdZPyviIfI/AAAAAAAAAYM/p7U9LaHVmbA/s320/photo.PNG" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-13QpjddeSK4/UjdZZFRWH4I/AAAAAAAAAYU/nd6WQTv_YFQ/s1600/photo+(1).PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-13QpjddeSK4/UjdZZFRWH4I/AAAAAAAAAYU/nd6WQTv_YFQ/s320/photo+(1).PNG" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />As you can see I am still running <i>crazy </i>slowly - it feels almost unbelievable that I managed a 5k in under 33 minutes only a couple of months ago - but I'd rather run slowly and finish than run too fast then give up. Managing a 40 minute run felt good, towards the end I just felt better and better. Karen Gouger (Sp?!) let me know my goal was in sight and I was sprinting an 8 minute mile and I swear for a second time just stopped and I felt like I could have kept on going forever. (I didn't.) The high is just indescribable, <i>this is why I do it</i>, and I am loving it more than ever.<br /><br />The week for food, as mentioned, was a little hit and miss, mainly due to spontaneous plans to be honest (forever my downfall) and getting a huge Nando's takeaway without actually checking how much points it all was. I even gave up tracking points around Thursday which is NOT good.<br /><br />My plan this week is to stick to my 28 points daily except for the social occasions I have already planned in which I will just eat/drink whatever I want. I haven't got too mental a week so I hope that should be okay. I think my main downfall is borrowing from my weekly 'overdraft' when it's just a normal day rather than occasions so I should be alright. I will also not be pointing my pre-run snacks, which are mainly some kind of nut mix as I know it's good for me even though it's super high in calories/points but whatever.<br /><br />I will leave you with the best workout song ever<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://img.youtube.com/vi/ra-h_p-vD2s/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/ra-h_p-vD2s&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/ra-h_p-vD2s&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div><br />and a picture of my new boots, which you can get&nbsp;<a href="http://www.topshop.com/en/tsuk/product/athena-lace-up-ankle-boots-65138" target="_blank">here</a>, which I am just posting as they have exponentially improved my life in the 3 days in which I have owned them.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TeSTf8qmC9s/UjdZ8-y6I1I/AAAAAAAAAYc/bWx0ciojCsc/s1600/photo+(93).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TeSTf8qmC9s/UjdZ8-y6I1I/AAAAAAAAAYc/bWx0ciojCsc/s320/photo+(93).JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Until next week my dears. x</div><br />Abihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09848285795608709724noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112489445070293686.post-66552748998754884202013-09-09T19:33:00.000+01:002014-01-01T15:45:06.366+00:00Already brushing off that dustSo I followed Weight Watchers for a week and...<br /><br />gained 0.2lb. Hmph. I still have 20.3lbs to lose until goal.<br /><br />But it could have been worse as<br /><br /><ul><li>I went over by 17 points</li><li>I didn't really take a very fascist approach to Weight Watchers and guesstimated points of loads of things</li><li>I did absolutely NO exercise WHATSOEVER</li></ul><div>so I don't think really what is essentially a 'stay the same' is that tragic. CONSIDERING.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/236x/53/87/38/538738fa181386e2d86e668235b2e1b1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/236x/53/87/38/538738fa181386e2d86e668235b2e1b1.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>However, at least I achieved the goal of tracking Weight Watchers for the whole week, and it had been the first time I'd done that in about 3/4 months, so every victory. This week I am feeling a bit more confident I can do well as</div><div><br /></div><div><ul><li>I've sorted my life out in advance a bit better e.g. bought things to make lunch with/planned dinners/allowed for social events etc</li><li>I am back in the running game!</li></ul><div><br /></div></div><div>Today I ran about as fast as if I was trudging through lard but managed to knock back 2.28 miles in half an hour with only like one 30 second walk break, which I don't think is too bad seeing as I literally have done no running whatsoever for weeks. I am back on a running plan which involves tick boxes and achievements and so on which I feel is a good thing for me as when I just run aimlessly when I feel like it, it is so so easy to not bother to go. But now, you know, I have a PLAN. I must stick to it.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Right now I feel really great and buzzing which is why I know it is really good for me to go running and I definitely need to carry on and not let myself lapse out of it again!&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>A bit busy at the moment as I'm still preparing to move flats and work is pretty hectic, plus a few of my good friends all seem to have moved to London all at once which is so great but does mean weeknights are getting pretty jammed! But I do want to start getting some recipes all up online soon!</div><div><br /></div><div>x x&nbsp;</div>Abihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09848285795608709724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112489445070293686.post-31831213892532524512013-09-02T18:36:00.000+01:002014-01-01T15:45:06.411+00:00Hello September!Hello all! I have returned from a great holiday in Tunisia and feel super well rested. I also have shocking news, for the first time in my life I literally LOST weight on holiday. I only lost half a pound, but to put it in perspective, when I returned from holiday last October I had gained six pounds, so I am in utter disbelief.<br /><br />I am still feeling really motivated and have started my return to Weight Watchers today with a bang. I work in education so have a total "new term, new start" approach to everything right now and I really feel like this is going to be a good moth!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/236x/b7/a1/4b/b7a14b493aedad10f809f5bad4c2bf28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/236x/b7/a1/4b/b7a14b493aedad10f809f5bad4c2bf28.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />On to continuing on with at least one blog project I start - monthly goals! I will review August's.<br /><br /><u>August Goals&nbsp;</u><br /><u><br /></u><b>General weight loss:&nbsp;</b><i>to start September weighing no more than 3lbs more than I started August</i>I am in fact starting September merely 1.8lbs heavier than I started August, so goal achieved.<br /><br /><b>Food: </b><i>Give up morning snacking</i>I did actually follow this for pretty much all of August (with one or two slip-ups) but I have come to the overall conclusion that this was not in fact a particularly positive goal for me as it is never good for me to be particularly hungry, as then I just end up overeating. Throughout September I will be snacking once in the morning and twice in the afternoons as a general rule.<br /><br /><b>General fitness: </b>&nbsp;<i>Do&nbsp;at least 3 workouts every week for the duration of August (apart from when on holiday)</i>I did really well at the beginning of August but tailed off towards the middle when it was around my birthday and there was loads going on and I couldn't really be bothered. So I pretty much failed here...<br /><br /><b>Running:&nbsp;</b><i>Complete a full 5k with no walk breaks</i>.<br />Total fail, the furthest I ran in August was just over 4k and I have just realised with a terrifying jolt it's been nearly 3 weeks since my last run...<br /><br /><b>General health/well being:&nbsp;</b><i>Drink two litres of water every day.</i>I have improved on this front but I don't think I have achieved the goal really as I'm still hooked on Diet Coke and barely drank any water on holiday.<br /><br /><b>Blogging:&nbsp;</b><i>Write at least one blog every week, apart from when on holiday.</i>Achieved!<br /><br />So a bit of a mixed bag really, but oh well. On for September...<br /><u><br /></u><br /><u>September Goals</u><b>General Weight Loss: </b><i>To lose 3lbs before the beginning of October.</i>3lbs sounds a little low for a month but my ultimate yearly goal of 21lbs by the time I am 24 needs to be attacked very, very slowly I feel otherwise I am setting myself up for fail. I think it's a fair and reasonable target. I have no major reasons to go off plan this month and I am in a good place right now so I do not see any reason why I should not meet it.<br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>Food: </b><i>Give up eating bread.</i>This might seem a little bizarre but I randomly didn't eat wheat for like a week in mid-August and found myself feeling so much better about everything. I also have not eaten wheat for the past 2 days and also feel so great right now. Maybe I'm kidding myself but I possibly do have a mild wheat allergy I believe. I'm not a mentalist, I'm not going to go totally gluten free and give up pasta (my ultimate fave), or even pizza, but I'm not going to eat bread on it's own, or sandwiches, or as part of a burger bun or something, for a whole month. I'll see how it goes. I don't think it will be particularly hard as I don't eat a lot of bread anyway, and it might make a lot of difference.<br /><br /><b>General fitness: </b><i>Work out 3 times a week (Pass on this given if GENUINELY ill)</i>I have a cold at the moment hence the conditional factor...but I really need to get back on this as my exercise has slipped dramatically recently.<br /><br /><b>Running: </b><i>Run a full 5k with no walk breaks.</i>Same as last month. I imagine my 3 weeks off running have dented my ability quite a bit so I don't have too lofty dreams for my September running.<br /><br /><b>General health/well being: </b><i>Go to bed early enough to get a MINIMUM of 7 hours sleep every night. Aim for 8 hours.</i>I feel so much better when well rested and I actually haven't even drank coffee in weeks so I am going to try and carry on with this.<br /><br /><b>Blogging:</b>&nbsp;<i>Blog a recipe.&nbsp;</i>I've wanted to do this for ages but find it difficult to find the motivation to take photos etc, but I need to share one particular amazing dish with the world so I am going to get on it.<br /><br /><br />xAbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09848285795608709724noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112489445070293686.post-10053064181973128852013-08-23T17:29:00.000+01:002014-01-01T15:45:06.457+00:00Renewed motivation.So as you may or may not have noticed I have not blogged in over a week. I haven't really dieted or exercised in the past week either. I have put on weight and it's a bit crap. But... I turned 23!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/7c/be/33/7cbe33243d9d36fd33f424285b9c75be.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/7c/be/33/7cbe33243d9d36fd33f424285b9c75be.jpg" width="315" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">22 wasn't the greatest year of my life, and I'm sure there's lots of things about it I could have done better. But overall I feel it was pretty much a success. I started running and ran a 5k which is pretty impressive. I think I did pretty well at spending a lot of time with the people that are important. Overall though I think I did grow up quite a lot over the past year. I think I've become more confident and a more easily social person, I think I've achieved a lot, and I feel like I'm finding my feet.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I am feeling so good about being 23. I am going to achieve a lot and it's going to be a great year.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have decided, I am going to lose a stone and a half before I turn 24. Note the "I am going to" not the "I want to".&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I could lose more weight than that, I could lose less weight than that. But I think that will be my happy weight. It's about the weight I was when I met my boyfriend, and it's about half a stone less than my lowest weight since I started my blog.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's an achievable goal in a year. I could lose half a pound a week and stay the same for a few of those and still do it, even have a few gains over e.g. Christmas. It's not a speedy weight loss, it's not a rush, it's not a race.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And I am going to stick with my blog title and do this "the lazy way". There's no point trying to work out every day for 3 weeks consecutively, there's no point going four days eating nothing but apples and chia seeds, as I swear every time I do something like this I just end up weighing more two weeks later than when I started.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/34/de/3d/34de3d3087b35c37b3bde49a4d0081eb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/34/de/3d/34de3d3087b35c37b3bde49a4d0081eb.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I am going crawling back to Weight Watchers. I have a long and complex relationship with Weight Watchers as we know - I actually haven't stopped paying for it THIS WHOLE TIME but I haven't followed it for more than a week at once since at least February, probably longer to be honest. Weight Watchers is a good choice for me because the weekly points give me that flexibility; essentially it gives me the following options:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><ul><li>Have a totally saintly week and then be allowed to basically LITERALLY EAT WHATEVER I WANT on one day</li><li>Be saintly all week... and then have a weekend where I pretty much can have what I fancy, as long as I track it and don't go too insane</li><li>Be saintly some days and be a bit crap on others but don't have any major blowouts</li><li>Just be average all week</li></ul><div>etc.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Over the course of a year I will of course come off plan at certain points - life's too short to be on a diet at Christmas or when you've spent a huge chunk of money to go on holiday, but equally, life's too short to spend your life tunnelling fat into your arteries as well isn't it?</div><div><br /></div><div>Across September I firmly have NO reason to go off plan whatsoever as this is going to be a very typical and 'routine' month for me with no special occasions or time off (again, except for the fact I'm casually moving house - but I can't see why this would affect what I eat.) So throughout the whole of September I am going to track everything and follow Weight Watchers. That doesn't mean I can't have fun on the weekend or go to Nando's - I just need to use my weekly points! Last year I went through pretty much all of the autumn religiously on Weight Watchers and had no problems, so I don't see why this year should be any different. We are talking FASCIST approach to Weight Watchers hear - weigh everything, if you can't track it don't eat it, etc. I feel like Weight Watchers is good for me as it helps me develop a positive relationship with food - the only time I have ever got anywhere near approaching 5 a day is when I have followed Weight Watchers.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>So on Sunday I'm going on holiday for a week, and I'm not going to track when I'm on holiday. But I return on a Sunday afternoon with just enough time to plan obsessively for a full week on Weight Watchers starting Monday 2nd September. No excuses. Let's do this.</div><div><br /></div><div>And as for exercise - I am going to carry on with my love of running. I want to run a 10k at some point when I am 23 - I am eyeing up the BUPA 10,000 (and not just because it's in May so is ages away, honest). However, I am not going to track activity points on Weight Watchers. In fact, I am going to try my best to think of running as an entirely separate thing, and not even related to losing weight, as I am a bit guilty of "I've been for a run so can eat WHATEVER I WANT" syndrome. Running isn't about weight loss for me, it's about achievement of goals and about freedom, so I'm going to think of it separately. However no worries, I will continue to blog about running!&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>It sounds mental but I am really feeling good about this as I feel like I am finding myself, knowing who I am and knowing where I am going. And now I KNOW this is what I want. I feel like this time I could work. I feel like I am doing this for new reasons and with a new approach.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So thanks for reading and I will be back in touch in September. And hopefully this time in a year I'll be writing a success story. x&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/fc/a3/ec/fca3ec0ee0c90bf9f1fecdbd1cc6ef20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/fc/a3/ec/fca3ec0ee0c90bf9f1fecdbd1cc6ef20.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>Abihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09848285795608709724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112489445070293686.post-13002810904018407422013-08-14T21:32:00.000+01:002014-01-01T15:45:06.503+00:00WIAW #2Well I am on holiday from work this week and I am loving it. I love being a bit more chilled and having more time to get on with things. However, today is a far from exemplary day for food but I said I would be honest so I am going to.<div><br></div><div>I didn't exercise today but I don't feel guilty about it. I have worked out the past five consecutive days and my calves were beginning to scream for a break, and I don't want to do myself an injury after all. But it's back on that wagon tomorrow!</div><div><br></div><div><b>8.45am - breakfast</b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><div class="separator" style="font-weight: bold; clear: both; "><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ERMxUEc049E/UgvpcMzDrLI/AAAAAAAAAWU/8ACFbf7gd34/s640/blogger-image-622425050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ERMxUEc049E/UgvpcMzDrLI/AAAAAAAAAWU/8ACFbf7gd34/s640/blogger-image-622425050.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; ">Special K red berries with semi skimmed milk</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; ">I actually had a super healthy breakfast planned to share with you guys today - all week I've been having yogurt with fruit and nuts. But the strawberries had gone all mouldy so I improvised with the contents of my parents' kitchen...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><b>9.30am - cup of caramel coffee with semi skimmed milk</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><b><br></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><div class="separator" style="font-weight: bold; clear: both; "><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-rZhvPTj56f4/UgvrCAdRsFI/AAAAAAAAAWk/WLaC3gJqy9k/s640/blogger-image--603298362.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-rZhvPTj56f4/UgvrCAdRsFI/AAAAAAAAAWk/WLaC3gJqy9k/s640/blogger-image--603298362.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="font-weight: bold; clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; ">I stole the coffee from my sister (if you're reading this - apols). Had quite a productive morning, helped my mum with lots of bits on the computer and then tuned up my grandad's laptop for him (can you tell who the IT wizard is in the family?) Amazingly though I didn't get dressed until right before lunch, which is of course compulsory during annual leave.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><b>1.15 - Lunch</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><div class="separator" style="font-weight: bold; clear: both; "><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-tUdTDs_YLa8/UgvwB2mRGrI/AAAAAAAAAW8/R7pi4dGUmW8/s640/blogger-image--1764135819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-tUdTDs_YLa8/UgvwB2mRGrI/AAAAAAAAAW8/R7pi4dGUmW8/s640/blogger-image--1764135819.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; ">2/3 of a portion of Weight Watchers one-pot carbonara</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; ">French bread</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; ">The other day I made this carbonara from a recipe in Weight Watchers magazine. It was amazing at the time. We had 2 portions left over and mum, me and sister split it between the 3 of us with some nice French bread.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-27Hc7AEM4Bc/Ugvv_xUR3AI/AAAAAAAAAW0/BI9RJz3cjaA/s640/blogger-image-721363496.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-27Hc7AEM4Bc/Ugvv_xUR3AI/AAAAAAAAAW0/BI9RJz3cjaA/s640/blogger-image-721363496.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Olives (some in spicy sauce, some with garlic and mushroom, some with feta)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div>Mum and I LOVE olives so I picked these up yesterday when I went to visit stalls at our local folk festival, Folk Week. These were delicious, we shared about half of the punnet and are saving the rest for now. I could eat nothing but olives for a week and be so happy (the olive detox?!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-BdmKp-1VsvE/UgvwFxsW6fI/AAAAAAAAAXU/7g8pjDqbZfw/s640/blogger-image-1104656348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-BdmKp-1VsvE/UgvwFxsW6fI/AAAAAAAAAXU/7g8pjDqbZfw/s640/blogger-image-1104656348.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Coconut ice</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This is a tiny piece, seriously! Badly scaled photo! Also picked up some of this from the fudge stall in Folk Week. I seriously love coconut.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-a4_nQaxVFQk/UgvwI0VX6II/AAAAAAAAAXk/uwe6ik3dZdA/s640/blogger-image--2101882668.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-a4_nQaxVFQk/UgvwI0VX6II/AAAAAAAAAXk/uwe6ik3dZdA/s640/blogger-image--2101882668.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Viennese whirl&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And to top off that veritable feast of a lunch, another sugary baked good.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">During the afternoon Mum and I went out to run some errands around town. We saw a dress and shoes I fell in love with for my holiday and Mum treated me to them as it's my birthday next week so already lovely. I also bought two more Barry M Gelly nail varnishes for my ever expanding collection and some sea salt spray to at least vaguely attempt to get some kind of nice beach hair on holiday. I am not a beauty blogger but regardless check out Barry M Gelly in 'Lychee'. I love it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-q5YLv6pD0QI/UgvwHA7vpoI/AAAAAAAAAXc/9WpZAJUIoDQ/s640/blogger-image--1331703540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-q5YLv6pD0QI/UgvwHA7vpoI/AAAAAAAAAXc/9WpZAJUIoDQ/s640/blogger-image--1331703540.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Barry M Gelly nail varnish in 'Lychee' - £3.99 (NOTE- did not consume)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>8.45pm - Dinner</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><br></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="font-weight: bold; clear: both; "><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-sHaD5hP8MOQ/UgvwDDVVEuI/AAAAAAAAAXE/iFJANpOHh-0/s640/blogger-image--2129712475.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-sHaD5hP8MOQ/UgvwDDVVEuI/AAAAAAAAAXE/iFJANpOHh-0/s640/blogger-image--2129712475.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; ">BBQ chicken and bacon pizza&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; ">I know, I know, this doesn't really scream FITBLOG but oh well. I ate with my sister when she got home from work. We each had 3 slices of this and the other 2 are earmarked for yet another leftover lunch.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; ">Then...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-6C_xEQUpxU0/UgvwEoKG4TI/AAAAAAAAAXM/4ZwU876WsDs/s640/blogger-image--1365230197.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-6C_xEQUpxU0/UgvwEoKG4TI/AAAAAAAAAXM/4ZwU876WsDs/s640/blogger-image--1365230197.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; ">Sugar ring donut</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; ">I know, I know - could I be any more of an unhealthyness cliche? My sister brought them home from work. In her own words "My colleagues were surprised I chose the ring donuts as they are not filled with anything, but all I could say was that they are filled with happiness". Fair enough.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; ">I can't really say anything good about today's eats, but one day you will read a WIAW from me and it will be full of chia seeds and quinoa, and that day is unlikely to be during August as let's face it my birthday month containing 2 separate holidays was always a bit of a write off. I have NOTHING going on in September - no birthdays, no time off, no special events, nothing (apart from the fact I'm casually moving house and all but...) so during September I will be on the wagon big time, just in time for the new academic year!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; ">See you on Friday for weekly summary goodness....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; ">X</div><br></div><br></div></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><b><br></b></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><br></div><br></div>Abihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09848285795608709724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112489445070293686.post-83452884119109134902013-08-09T21:42:00.000+01:002014-01-01T15:45:06.548+00:00Weekly Summary #1As I weigh in on Fridays I thought it might be a good day to do a summary of the last week and my progress on this day.<div><br></div><div>Well the past week has been a bad week for food - two takeaways and two meals out, none of which were particularly health conscious. I've found myself reaching for unhealthy snacks right left and centre and have pretty much eaten my weight in cheese.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>On the contrary, I have had a GREAT week for exercise, as Ellie Goulding likes to cheerfully remind me on the Nike app. I have literally stuck to running every other day and have MADE the time to do so, even when things have spontaneously come up:</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sYMyayJqbtg/UgVYRYn8DgI/AAAAAAAAAV0/nhdqUePKcVM/s640/blogger-image--2059961891.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sYMyayJqbtg/UgVYRYn8DgI/AAAAAAAAAV0/nhdqUePKcVM/s640/blogger-image--2059961891.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">As you can see, I have not ran far, or fast. But I don't mind, as I feel I am finally getting somewhere again, and next time I am ready to move on to 2.5 miles.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So the good week of exercise has been quite good damage control for the horrific week of food and when all was said and done I only <b>gained 0.3lb. </b>&nbsp;I wouldn't say I'm happy with that figure but I'm certainly not disappointed given the burgers, ice cream, pizza, roast dinners, etc - I've been lucky.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This week is my holiday from work. I am spending the whole week at my parents' house but I am going to be out a LOT - there is a local folk festival which is a HUGE thing down here. So my challenge will be to try and eat healthily and keep up the running amongst all of the upheaval and shaking of routine. Not easy.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Next week I'd really love to see a loss as the week after is my birthday week! I don't want August to be a TOTAL write off.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">To end this summary here is my favourite Pinterest pin of the week:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-idE_dBqf5UQ/UgVYTuijitI/AAAAAAAAAV8/t0bKvTJU7zw/s640/blogger-image-1608086468.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-idE_dBqf5UQ/UgVYTuijitI/AAAAAAAAAV8/t0bKvTJU7zw/s640/blogger-image-1608086468.jpg"></a></div><br></div>I don't know if that quote is at all genuine but it is so true. When I ran a 5k race I was doing something I previously thought impossible. And that is what will happen to me again when one day I run a 10k.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Much love and hope everyone has a great week!</div>Abihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09848285795608709724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112489445070293686.post-53100756131728066102013-08-07T21:02:00.000+01:002014-01-01T15:45:06.593+00:00WIAW #1Well all I've posted about recently is exercise so I thought I'd jump in and join in on What I Ate Wednesday so I could comment a little on food.<div>I've known subconsciously for a while my diet has not been great and has been a bit unbalanced. Writing this post has helped me to realise how bad this has gotten and how badly I need a shake-up... But anyhow here we go.</div><div><br></div><div><b>7.45am - breakfast</b></div><div><div class="separator" style="font-weight: bold; clear: both; "><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bNcFzEkL_eA/UgKn0nYCURI/AAAAAAAAAVc/SeMb-D2cR6g/s640/blogger-image--880226238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bNcFzEkL_eA/UgKn0nYCURI/AAAAAAAAAVc/SeMb-D2cR6g/s640/blogger-image--880226238.jpg"></a></div>Golden Syrup Oat So Simple sachet, quarter pint of skimmed milk, topped up with boiling water</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ZqYoTpALXdU/UgKnymAoSSI/AAAAAAAAAVM/HTBN4EAcbC8/s640/blogger-image--452075640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ZqYoTpALXdU/UgKnymAoSSI/AAAAAAAAAVM/HTBN4EAcbC8/s640/blogger-image--452075640.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Cup of coffee with skimmed milk&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I am doing shorter hours at work at the moment so don't have to get up quite so early. Even so I don't think I've been getting enough sleep as I'm so tired in the mornings.&nbsp;</div>This is the first day I've had porridge in ages as usually I've had yogurts for a few weeks.</div><div><br></div><div><b>9am</b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><div class="separator" style="font-weight: bold; clear: both; "><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_8xhwedfPsI/UgKnwQxwtvI/AAAAAAAAAU8/XeeuYqUGh9E/s640/blogger-image-262523392.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_8xhwedfPsI/UgKnwQxwtvI/AAAAAAAAAU8/XeeuYqUGh9E/s640/blogger-image-262523392.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; ">Small skinny latte with sugar free caramel&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; ">I was still so tired so grabbed more caffeine and sugar to fuel me as I started work.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><b>12pm</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><b><br></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><div class="separator" style="font-weight: bold; clear: both; "><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-4WQ5ZhSxkdg/UgKnzmI1kuI/AAAAAAAAAVU/8mni4huz11Y/s640/blogger-image--1173605013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-4WQ5ZhSxkdg/UgKnzmI1kuI/AAAAAAAAAVU/8mni4huz11Y/s640/blogger-image--1173605013.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; ">Warburton sandwich thin</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; ">Brie</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; ">Pepperoni</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-x50P2sb47Ac/UgKnqpUF67I/AAAAAAAAAUU/ZCoCJbfqSlc/s640/blogger-image-1408485132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-x50P2sb47Ac/UgKnqpUF67I/AAAAAAAAAUU/ZCoCJbfqSlc/s640/blogger-image-1408485132.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; ">Weight Watchers Jaffa cake bar</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; ">I was STARVING by this point which was great as I'd made myself the world's smallest sandwich. After I ate this I was already hungry an hour later.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><b>4.15pm - pre run snack&nbsp;</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><div class="separator" style="font-weight: bold; clear: both; "><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-8mOIcdVjhB8/UgKnuB0vwrI/AAAAAAAAAUs/Nksv4v5X5mA/s640/blogger-image-143844415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-8mOIcdVjhB8/UgKnuB0vwrI/AAAAAAAAAUs/Nksv4v5X5mA/s640/blogger-image-143844415.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="font-weight: bold; clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; ">130g Natural yogurt</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; ">30g Trail mix</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; ">Teaspoon of honey</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; ">I wanted a decent snack before my run as I was starving and it's not a good idea for me to run on an empty stomach (as I have learnt time and time again). This was nice (and actually healthy!). I might start having it for breakfast.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><b>4.30pm- run<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-a5wv5l6EIaA/UgKnxdvHE0I/AAAAAAAAAVE/34cOf9w50QQ/s640/blogger-image-773643733.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-a5wv5l6EIaA/UgKnxdvHE0I/AAAAAAAAAVE/34cOf9w50QQ/s640/blogger-image-773643733.jpg"></a></div></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; ">2.25 miles today. It didn't go terribly but I'd be lying if I said it was easy so I'm going to repeat this distance next time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><b>6.30pm - dinner</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><div class="separator" style="font-weight: bold; clear: both; "><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ydmAKKM9VXc/UgKnrx1bwdI/AAAAAAAAAUc/ewnrJd2ZQTI/s640/blogger-image--709203668.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ydmAKKM9VXc/UgKnrx1bwdI/AAAAAAAAAUc/ewnrJd2ZQTI/s640/blogger-image--709203668.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; ">Olives</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-IqyZwAg1q2g/UgKnvetUsZI/AAAAAAAAAU0/iZcPyvfqyec/s640/blogger-image--1683252581.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-IqyZwAg1q2g/UgKnvetUsZI/AAAAAAAAAU0/iZcPyvfqyec/s640/blogger-image--1683252581.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">1/4 chicken</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Chips with peri peri salt</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Side salad</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Halloumi cheese</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-gqqbI1RKHDc/UgKntKlhRcI/AAAAAAAAAUk/Y0TB7WIQc1c/s640/blogger-image--1590224284.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-gqqbI1RKHDc/UgKntKlhRcI/AAAAAAAAAUk/Y0TB7WIQc1c/s640/blogger-image--1590224284.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Toffee ice cream</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">As you can see dinner was a veritable feast at Nando's. My second Nando's in as many days. God.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So what have I learnt from today?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">1. I don't eat anywhere NEAR as much fruit and veg as I should be. Back when I was on Weight Watchers I'd always get my 5 a day but now I've barely had 1.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">2. I am not managing my food well enough and am hungry at all the wrong times leading to over-eating at other times.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">3. Running makes me hungry.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">4. Ridiculously small sandwiches with unhealthy fillings do not a good lunch make.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Food for thought eh? Let's hope for a better WIAW next week!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><br></div></div><br></div><br></div><div>&nbsp;</div>Abihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09848285795608709724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112489445070293686.post-18974975438417792422013-08-05T18:50:00.000+01:002014-01-01T15:45:06.639+00:005 new things about today's run<div><b>1. Dinosaur socks</b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><div class="separator" style="font-weight: bold; clear: both; "><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-UHcraVTRUQw/Uf_lzmJaa0I/AAAAAAAAATo/MIjBcbAHahY/s640/blogger-image--21601314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-UHcraVTRUQw/Uf_lzmJaa0I/AAAAAAAAATo/MIjBcbAHahY/s640/blogger-image--21601314.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="font-weight: bold; clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; ">I'm not a big 'socks' person due to my lifelong fear of wearing trousers (I really hate the way I look in trousers and nearly always wear a dress. Fact). (In my day to day life that is. Obviously I don't run in dresses). But I saw loads of cute socks £1.99 for 3 in Primark and I thought it might cheer me up when getting ready to exercise. It did!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><b>2. Water bottle</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><div class="separator" style="font-weight: bold; clear: both; "><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fsPREwrPG2I/Uf_l11TQwxI/AAAAAAAAAT4/Guu6IZ1TsMo/s640/blogger-image-1802116456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fsPREwrPG2I/Uf_l11TQwxI/AAAAAAAAAT4/Guu6IZ1TsMo/s640/blogger-image-1802116456.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; ">Ever since my Grandad had to pick me up from running last week when I thought I was going to faint my family have been insistent that I always take water when running. I thought I would buy a bottle just for the purpose. Hot pink and easy to carry, it does the job it says on the tin.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><b>3. Running in the pouring rain</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; ">To say my run today was during a heavy shower is an understatement; this rain was truly BIBLICAL, I was totally drenched, people with umbrellas were looking at me like I was mad. But you know, it wasn't all bad, it kept me cool and incentivised me to run a bit faster... I think I do need to get myself some wet weather running gear ready for autumn though!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><b>4. Using an armband</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; ">I have an iPhone 4 and I use it for both GPS and music when I run (and emergency phone calls to grandparent to save me but there&nbsp;<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">you go). Today as it was extremely heavy rain I didn't want to break my phone so whipped out a running armband to keep it dry. This worked fine but the only problem was it messed with my speed stats a bit as I couldn't easily pause the run when at traffic lights, but we live and learn.</span></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><b>5. Color run!</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><b><br></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-WGcTyKBvqkA/Uf_l0v5LVoI/AAAAAAAAATw/m5EnoMeF_0o/s640/blogger-image-1243373889.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-WGcTyKBvqkA/Uf_l0v5LVoI/AAAAAAAAATw/m5EnoMeF_0o/s640/blogger-image-1243373889.jpg"></a></div><br></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; ">I've not been using the Nike app for that long so was thrilled to get to the 'orange' level today! I only ran 2 miles as I'm only taking it slow but now I'm at a higher level I feel more like a proper runner! I love the Nike app and will write about it at length soon.</div></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>After my worries that the pox had destroyed my running forever, I'm feeling back on track again and I'm within the routine of running every other day. I'm still going crazy short distances but my new philosophy is that every time it feels easy, the next run I increase 0.25 miles. It's going well so far. I just want to get back up to being easily able to knock out a 5k before my holiday <span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">so in September I can really get started on training for a 10k.&nbsp;</span><div><div><br></div><div>The best thing is I'm loving it again, look forward to my runs and feel great about them afterwards. I never knew exercise could be something I enjoyed until I started running.</div></div><div><br></div><div>I know it feels like all I chat is running recently but I'm planning on starting joining in on #WIAW (What I Ate Wednesday) so keep your eyes peeled for some food-type posts!</div>Abihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09848285795608709724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112489445070293686.post-47866916462961132242013-08-01T19:20:00.000+01:002014-01-01T15:45:06.685+00:00August goalsI want to start setting myself monthly goals in various categories in an attempt to try to a) blog more and b) gain focus. So here we go for August.<div><br></div><div><b>General weight loss</b></div><div>Josh and I are off on an all inclusive holiday to Tunisia in the final week of August. All inclusive sounds pretty dangerous and I certainly don't intend to exercise when I&nbsp;<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">am there. August also happens to be both mine and Josh's birthday month AND I have another week holiday from work too (which will be a seaside staycation).<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">&nbsp;So I think any weight loss this month is a little overrambitous. However, I don't want to put on heaps of weight either - so my goal is <i>to start September weighing no more than 3lbs more than I started August. </i>So basically, be good most of the time before I go on holiday, and when I'm there try not to go TOO crazy.</span></span></div><div><br></div><div><b>Food</b></div><div>For the entirety of August I am going to <i>give up morning snacking. </i>Afternoon snacking is a bit different as the gap between lunch and dinner is wider and sometimes involves a workout but there is no point really to morning snacking and I can definitely go between breakfast and lunch without any sugary treats.</div><div><br></div><div><b>General fitness</b></div><div>Apart from when I'm abroad, I want to get in<i>&nbsp;at least 3 workouts every week for the duration of August. </i>These will probably all be running... Let's face it, I'm a running addict and not a huge fan of most other exercise... But they do not HAVE to be running.</div><div><br></div><div><b>Running</b></div><div><i>Complete a full 5k with no walk breaks</i>. Sounds easy as I've done it loads of times now but as I referred to in my last post 'the pox' has really knocked my fitness but I want to get it back up to scratch ready for some 10k training.</div><div><br></div><div><b>General health/well being&nbsp;</b></div><div><i>Drink two litres of water every day. </i>I don't drink anywhere near enough water - I'm a diet fizzy drink addict and also love my coffee.</div><div><br></div><div><b>Blogging</b></div><div>Write at least one blog every week, apart from when on holiday.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Wish me luck! I'll review and set some more in September.</div>Abihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09848285795608709724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112489445070293686.post-55989160779488044372013-07-27T14:02:00.000+01:002014-01-01T15:45:06.730+00:00My first 5k and subsequent poxSo last Sunday I completed the Race for Life! I was so proud. I finished in 32:53, which given the fact my target was to do it in under 35 minutes I am pretty chuffed about. It's also my all-time 5k personal best which is pretty surprising because a lot of the time on the Nike app I cheat by pausing the timer when I'm resting at traffic lights. But I really guess it was just the adrenaline and the fact there was a super fast 8 year old girl running just behind me the whole time and I would not let myself be beat by an 8 year old girl. I WOULD NOT. (However, two 11 year old girls came second and third - vaguely terrifying?!) Here is a vaguely tragic photo of me after I had finished to show it really happened and that these are not the ramblings of a deranged fantasist.<div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-enxvApj5NmI/Ufqguh0HI4I/AAAAAAAAATU/qbtZbTbkF58/s640/blogger-image-1236269770.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-enxvApj5NmI/Ufqguh0HI4I/AAAAAAAAATU/qbtZbTbkF58/s640/blogger-image-1236269770.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Please excuse the loon-ish grin. It was a proud moment.</div><div><div><br></div><div>I loved the whole race day experience and I think I now have well and truly been bitten by the running bug. Once I got within sight of the finish line, I saw my family and boyfriend who had come to watch and suddenly had such an insane and renewed sense of energy I sprinted like CRAZY and went like 400m in what felt like about 10 seconds (not literally). (Obviously). I could tell how surprised they all were that I'd managed to complete it in that time and it was such a great feeling! I definitely want to carry on with races with a dream of one day doing that marathon. I just really love running and I'm so glad I started.</div><div><br></div><div>Unfortunately, there is a sad twist to the tale as unfortunately running does not currently love me. On race day or possibly the day before I was bitten by a mystery evil insect (possibly a spider, grim). The poison took a few days to properly grab hold before I had a severe allergic reaction which I have cheerfully been describing to friends and family as 'the pox'. I was covered in a totally insane rash which people stopped to stare at on the street before crossing the road to avoid catching leprosy themselves. I was so itchy it felt like I was undergoing some form of literal torture, and I could not concentrate on anything or sleep. I had to spend about two thirds of my time in ice cold showers, only removing myself when the chills and shivering were so bad they outweighed the itching. Seriously.</div><div><br></div><div>You'll be pleased to know that with the help of three doctors and £70 worth of medicine I am finally on the mend but it has come at a cost as I had to take over a week off running. I tried to head out on Tuesday but around the 2 mile mark suddenly felt as though I was going to faint/vomit to the extent I had to call my grandad to come and pick me up and drive me home. The rash had flared right up and I think it was because of the increase in body temperature. Once again today I headed out for my run, this time with an aim of 1.75 miles just to try and ease myself back into it. I completed it, but only after taking three mini walk breaks and when I returned I was so unreasonably shattered and dizzy from this incredibly easy run.&nbsp;</div></div></div><div><br></div><div>Right now it feels unbelievable that under a fortnight ago I finished a 5k race in a fairly reasonable time feeling great and looking like a human being as opposed to a melted ice cream. All I can think is that this must be 'the pox' and I am going to have to slowly but steadily work to build up my fitness again.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>I really want to start blogging more again and might even schedule a new post for the weekend RIGHT NOW so watch this space. Also just wanted to say thank you for all the kind comments and messages I've had on the blog from people I don't even know, the blogging community and particularly the health/fitness community is so supportive and obviously I hardly ever blog so am not inundated with comments but when I do get them it's so motivating!</div><div><br></div><div>Much love x</div>Abihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09848285795608709724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112489445070293686.post-22177162005731120382013-06-23T15:03:00.000+01:002014-01-01T15:45:06.777+00:00Tips for getting started with runningDon't get me wrong, I still very much consider myself a 'beginner' runner. But I've gone from being unable to run for three minutes without being absolutely shattered to running about 10 miles a week in 3 months. On Monday I ran my first ever full 5k - 38.30 (Watch out Paula Radcliffe) but if you consider that 3 months ago I could not run FIVE CENTIMETRES LET ALONE FIVE KILOMETRES I think that's pretty amazing. I feel fitter now than I ever have before in my life which is why it's a bit frustrating I've not lost any weight BUT THAT'S FOR ANOTHER POST.<br /><br />I tried and failed to start couch 2 5k about four times before my final successful attempt, so I thought I would list some reasons why I think this time it actually worked. Ironically I write this blog whilst I am sat in bed unable to walk due to the worst post-exercise muscle pain I've ever had in my life, BUT THAT WAS FROM A DIFFERENT TYPE OF EXERCISE so it's totally fine.<br /><br />I will intersperse my valuable advice with motivational phrases from Pinterest to keep things 'visual'.<br /><br /><b>1. Get equipped with the knowledge/apps/gear.</b><br />All you need to start couch 2 5k is a pair of trainers. I refuse to believe you don't already have any but if not, head down to Sports Direct with £15 in hand. DONE.<br />Don't worry about wearing fancy running gear, just something that makes you feel comfortable. Leggings and a baggy t-shirt is fine. I know for some people having super-cool fitness clothes motivates them and if so THAT'S FINE, but don't fall into the trap of spending £250 in Niketown so you can just hang up your new gear in the wardrobe to stare at forlornly as you eat nachos.<br />Obviously before you can start couch to 5k you need to have seen the actual plan. You can find that&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nhs.uk/livewell/c25k/Pages/couch-to-5k.aspx" target="_blank">here.</a><br />In theory this should be enough to get you out of the door, but I've tried with just the plan before and failed. On the NHS website you can also download some podcasts which will tell you when to stop/start and make it a bit easier, but the music is crap so I wouldn't recommend it.<br /><b>The number one thing that has helped me finish couch to 5k this time is the fantastic&nbsp;<a href="http://splendid-things.co.uk/getrunning/" target="_blank">Get Running</a>&nbsp;app. </b>This app lets you play your own music - Eye of the Tiger strongly recommended - and a lovely friendly sounding lady will just talk over the top to tell you when to stop or start or occasionally congratulate you on "doing great"! The way it tracks your progress along the program is motivating and visually appealing. I would urge you to shell out the very small cost as this app is responsible for changing my life.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec3.pinimg.com/550x/69/c9/ac/69c9aca3ca59acdff0a5a3a53eea508c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cache-ec3.pinimg.com/550x/69/c9/ac/69c9aca3ca59acdff0a5a3a53eea508c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><b>2. Run outside.&nbsp;</b><br /><b><br /></b>I know this is super personal and I read plenty of blogs with loads of amazing runners who only run on the treadmill. But I tried the couch to 5k on the treadmill, and you know what? It's annoying and boring. Changing the speed setting every minute means you can never really lose yourself in the moment, which is the joy of running. Running different places keeps it interesting and keeps you alert. I'm lucky enough to have had the opportunity to run right by London landmarks, to run within the inner depths of the Square Mile, to have run in some of London's most beautiful parks, but also to have run along by the sea of the beautiful Kent coastline. So why when you could be getting out and seeing the world are you going to the gym and staring at MTV Base?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/550x/fa/76/ab/fa76ab9328e9b8d7bf0c68678a264e8f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/550x/fa/76/ab/fa76ab9328e9b8d7bf0c68678a264e8f.jpg" width="229" /></a></div><br /><br /><b>3. Fit running around your life. Don't fit your life around running.</b><br /><b><br /></b>For the couch to 5k you should be running three times a week. At the beginning of each week stop and evaluate the plans for the oncoming week. When are you most likely to run?<br />I always run at least once at weekends as for me it's the best time, as someone who works full time and also has a lot of other commitments.<br />I never run in the early morning as I already get up at 5.45am for work as it stands (!!!).<br />I tried running in late evenings (8.30/9pm) but I found out that these would always be bad runs as they were too soon after my last meals.<br />I learnt from my mistakes and now I try to run at weekends and early evenings before dinner. Although 3 times a week is my goal, if something comes up, I'm not going to turn it down so I can go running! Running is my new lifestyle, it's not just a nine-week fad.<br />It doesn't matter if running couch to 5k doesn't take you exactly 9 weeks. It took me about 14 weeks all in all and I still reached my goal. Running shouldn't be something you dread or something you feel like you HAVE to do. Your run should be something you are excited about and something you feel good about once you have completed.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak1.pinimg.com/550x/06/ae/3b/06ae3bb886e28801ebd9fda3d5cf6641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="http://media-cache-ak1.pinimg.com/550x/06/ae/3b/06ae3bb886e28801ebd9fda3d5cf6641.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><b>4. Learn from your mistakes.</b><br /><br />You will have bad runs and things will go wrong and some you won't be able to complete. This is life. Each time it happens you have to think carefully about why today you have chest pain or why today you might be too exhausted to try and avoid it happening again.<br /><br /><ul><li>How long ago did you last eat? What have you eaten today?&nbsp;</li><li>How long has it been since your last run?&nbsp;</li><li>What have you been doing today that is different from a typical day?</li><li>Etc.</li></ul><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/550x/98/d0/08/98d00850fab68b7d580c31847254d7ab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/550x/98/d0/08/98d00850fab68b7d580c31847254d7ab.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><b>5. Don't make running about losing weight. Make it about you.</b><br /><b><br /></b>I have many more things to say about the fact that my fitness has dramatically improved recently to the point where I can run for 40 minutes without stopping and yet I have not lost any weight, but I will muse on that another day. However, running should not be about losing weight. Maybe when I started it was, but over time I have come to love running for what it is.<br />Running is a zero-cost way of getting properly fit. Maybe in the future (or the winter!) I will change my mind, but at the moment I can't see the need to ever waste money on a gym membership again.<br />When running you can lose yourself and find it all at the same time. It's the perfect time to think and be alone. Do you crave rest and solitud<br />e? Start running.<br />Most importantly, I have proved to myself that if I tried hard enough I really could do anything. This applies to fitness but also to everything in my life. I feel like completing couch to 5k has granted me an epiphany on my approach to the world which maybe every early twentysomething could do with. If you try hard enough and stay the course you really can complete the goals which only a few short months ago seemed totally impossible.<br />My race is in 4 weeks. Originally I said I had no goal but my new goal is sub-35. I have a long way to get to before then, but fingers crossed!<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec3.pinimg.com/550x/89/1a/69/891a693e064fa7f99858f608aaf35840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cache-ec3.pinimg.com/550x/89/1a/69/891a693e064fa7f99858f608aaf35840.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />Abihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09848285795608709724noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112489445070293686.post-17352983116939822212013-06-12T18:19:00.000+01:002014-01-01T15:45:06.823+00:00What I have learnt from my horrific runSo on Saturday I had a whole day to myself. This almost NEVER happens so I thought I'd use it really productively by going for a run somewhere EXCITING. I picked Hampstead Heath.<br /><br />I have never had a bad run until this run. However, this run was bloody horrific. I will show you the list of everything I learnt from it.<br /><br /><br /><ul><li>Don't ever go somewhere for a run that you have to undergo a horrendously complex Overground journey to get to. Not only by the time you get there are are you already "If I had done this near home I'd have been back on the sofa by now", you also have the HORRIFIC journey back afterwards.</li><li>Do not go out for a run with an empty stomach particularly if you have said horrendous Overground journey before you can even start exercising.</li><li>Do not go out for a run without a bottle of water if you are going to be out of the house for about 3 hours.</li><li>Do not go out for a run on an incredibly steep grass hill when you have only ever run before on nice city pavements and seaside promenandes.</li><li>Do not go out for a run in the midday blazing sunshine without suncream on and without water.&nbsp;</li><li>Do not assume that you have a good enough sense of direction to be able to find your way back to your starting point when you have never actually been to that place before. You will end up lost in Highgate.&nbsp;</li></ul><div><br /></div><div>Yes, it was absolutely horrific. After all the hills, the raging sunburn, the hunger, the thirst, the lightheadedness and the fact it was becoming rapidly clear that I WASN'T actually just by the Overground station and I MIGHT actually be lost in North London, I gave up almost without thinking about it, just stopped moving. God it was horrific. This is the first run I didn't complete and as I sadly found out when I checked my phone, I only even had 3 minutes left which I definitely could have done physically but I don't regret not finishing. The right person knows when to stop right? Right.</div><div><br /></div><div>&nbsp;I then checked my iPhone and found out that I was in HIGHGATE!!! It took me nearly an hour to find my way back, and I was already shattered. I didn't have any money on me to buy myself water or something to eat or even god forbid a taxi back to the station so I was SCREWED. &nbsp;All I can say is THANK GOD that smartphones have compasses, and THANK GOD it was the middle of a summers day. If I'd have been out on a winters' evening rocking a Nokia 3410 I'd probably have been mugged and also possibly still be wandering around Hampstead unable to find my way back now.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Oh well, I've got to pick up and try again - she says, not having been for a single run since this harrowing experience. Tonight I will definitely be getting my trainers on and heading off for a nice jog on flat land in circles around my neighbourhood though... and at least I have learnt my lessons. :(</div><div><br /></div><div>On the bright side, I took some nice photos:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pkgrxSrWBT0/UbitSE-JsLI/AAAAAAAAASc/k1Q9pEty23g/s1600/photo+(90).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pkgrxSrWBT0/UbitSE-JsLI/AAAAAAAAASc/k1Q9pEty23g/s320/photo+(90).JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c0EC2tu5ASw/Ubita7YyLKI/AAAAAAAAASk/EwoK6hwa5g8/s1600/photo+(91).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c0EC2tu5ASw/Ubita7YyLKI/AAAAAAAAASk/EwoK6hwa5g8/s320/photo+(91).JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Not so pretty when you are lost in North London's largest patch of grass.</div><div><br /></div>Abihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09848285795608709724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112489445070293686.post-81507605354035941402013-06-02T20:43:00.000+01:002014-01-01T15:45:06.912+00:00Running goals etcIt's been a few days since my last blog and I'm still obsessed with running and it still comprises about 85% of what I talk about. I've spent almost the entire weekend shoving Map My Run in my parents' face; "LOOK HOW FAR I WENT MUM!!! Could you even WALK that far?" (She could, she's in good shape, but I'm smug). To my sister: "I know you're REVISING for A-LEVELS but, SERIOUSLY, I just ran FOUR POINT SIX KILOMETRES?!" Etc, etc.<br /><br />I am now beginning to get this image of myself in my head as someone that could happily knock out an ultramarathon next weekend if need be, which isn't very good for my mental health as every time I am out running again I am like...."Oh. 25 minutes. Definitely enough. How depressing". But, anyway.<br /><br />My addiction to running is mainly borne from my addiction to<br />A) Statistics<br />B) Pride<br />C) Vanity<br />D) Smugness<br />E) The 'MapMyRun' iPhone app<br />F) My excellent Fitness playlist<br />G) Breaking records<br />H) My lifelong Type A personality<br /><br />rather than any particular enjoyment of running itself, much as I don't hate it. This means we must continue to move swiftly onwards so I don't get bored, and I have set a few GOALS for myself.<br /><br /><br /><ol><li>By the <b>end of June </b>I must finish couch to 5k. Assuming I am not in some accident I should manage to achieve this pretty easily as I am only 8 runs away from this elusive target.</li><li><b>On the 21st July </b>I am running the Race for Life. No, seriously! This will, of course, be my first ever race. I'm hoping to raise a few quid for charity in the meantime as well. I don't have any time target as it's my first race ever and I don't want to put myself under unnecessary pressure - I also might be running it with other people who have both more and less experience than me so it's probably not going to be a true reflection of the time I am capable of (making excuses already?). But I want to run it all and not stop to walk even once - that's the goal. This is already booked and signed up for so BETTER ACTUALLY BOTHER TO COMPLETE couch to 5k LOL.</li><li><u>In the meantime </u>&nbsp;as soon as I have graduated couch to 5k I am jumping straight on to Bridge to 10k.&nbsp;</li><li>.....With the idea of running a 10k in the autumn. I know, that's crazy. But why not? I want to get my 5k race over and done with first before I book anything especially because I'd have to make sure I had room in my hectic diary (it's so difficult being me). But you know, loads of people run 5ks. Not so many people run 10ks. It's an achievement, yes?</li></ol><div><br /></div><div>When I first wrote about my public transport fantasies of marathons on this blog, it was obviously a fantasy, but a fantasy in the same way as when I was 9 I used to daydream about being picked to play Hermione in the Harry Potter films, but then in the end I didn't even bother to audition. That kind of fantasy.</div><div>I wouldn't yet say a marathon is my 'goal' like running the Race for Life is my concrete 'goal'. But the marathon is beginning to become a bit more of a 'dream' than a 'fantasy' (I am making literally no sense). I honestly am beginning to think that if I tried hard enough I could actually do it. Just IMAGINE the blog post I would write. You would all love it.&nbsp;</div><br /><br />Abihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09848285795608709724noreply@blogger.com1